Jasmine didn’t understand anything about James or the forces behind him in

Arcton. But one thing was clear. Those two attackers were no ordinary criminals. It explained how, despite Orkford’s strict gun control laws, one of them had managed to get a firearm.

“Mr. Jacobson, you’re bleeding. You should see a doctor,” Jasmine said, startled by the blood covering Stephen’s hands.

Stephen shook his head. “I’m staying here with Tess.”

“Stephen.”

Samuel’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at him. Each word he spoke came through clenched teeth, heavy with rage. “If anything happens to Tess…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say the rest. The words “if she doesn’t make it” caught in his throat.

He paused, then forced the rest out, voice tight and trembling. “I will make the Jacobson family pay, even if it costs me everything I have.”

“James has already been taken by the police. This time, there’s no escape for him.” Stephen lowered his eyes, voice heavy.

“Mr. Yates.”

Stephen lifted his gaze and met Samuel’s furious stare. His tone softened as he said, “If anything happens to Tess… I’ll give my life to repay her.”

The words stunned everyone. Samuel, Marianne, and Jasmine all stared at him in shock. Even Wynn, who rarely showed any emotion, was visibly shaken.

Stephen, the heir of the Jacobson family, was offering his life in exchange for Tessa’s? That wasn’t something anyone expected to hear.

After a moment, Samuel came back to his senses. He let out a cold, bitter scoff.

“Your life? And what good would that do? If Tess is really gone, would giving your life bring her back?”

Stephen’s brows furrowed. His lips pressed into a tight line, and he didn’t respond.

“Um…” Jasmine hesitated, then forced herself to speak.

“Mr. Yates Tessa is still in surgery

We

might

w how it will turn out. It

t be as bad as we think it is.

She’s such a good person. Heaven

wouldn’t be so cruel…”

Her voice caught in her throat. The sadness welled up so strongly that she couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Thats Tess will be okay.

Samuel, try not to think the worst…”

Sarianne gently patted his back,

trying to comfort him.

Even as she said the words, her eyes turned red.

Tessa wasn’t her biological daughter, but she had always treated her like one.

Over the years, Tessa had slowly gone from cold and distant to warm and accepting.

Her career had just begun too. Everything in her life had finally started moving in a good direction.

Why did this have to happen at such a moment? She was still so young.

Before long, the other partners from the firm arrived-Lester, Yves, and several other attorneys.

The Ziegler siblings, Quentin, Naomi, Lucas, and Anne also came.

The hallway was crowded, yet no

one made a sound. A heavy silence blanketed the space, thick and suffocating. Everyone’s heartwas heavy with concern.

Silently, they all prayed for Tessa, hoping she would pull through this ordeal.